A Happy Birthday/Family Reunion

The Life and Times of Noble Sissle: An American History Lesson

Noble Sissle’s son and daughter celebrated what would have been their famous father’s 132nd year after birth in 1889. To mark the date, Sissle’s children, grandchildren and great grandchildren living in 3 locations in California and two in Florida, found a way to celebrate his birthday remotely with poetry and music. The tele-conference party turned into a remote Family Reunion of Sissle’s 2 children, 6 grandchildren including spouses, and 6 great grandchildren for a total of 14 excited individuals.

After figuring out how to record all parts of Sissle’s hit song “I’m Just Wild About Harry” in a poetic form titled "We’re Just Wild About Poppa,” the session turned into a Family Reunion planning session. With music by the Amherst Saxophone Quartet and the soaring voice of Ali Ollie Woodson, they not only completed their mission, they started planning a real reunion in 2022.

Episodes to follow this special birthday submission will resume focusing on Sissle’s move to Cleveland in 1906 and finding out that he had a special talent: a singing voice that caught the attention of influential people.